Deer Season on Valley Roads: What to Know About Animal Collisions

If you drive the back roads anywhere in the Mahoning Valley this time of year, you’ve probably seen more deer near the road. That’s not your imagination. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, nearly half of Ohio’s deer-related crashes happen in October, November and December, and November alone accounts for about 22% of them.

Below are some general suggestions many drivers find helpful this season, plus a quick look at how insurance typically handles an animal collision. None of this can guarantee you’ll avoid a deer, but a little awareness can go a long way.

When deer are most active

The Highway Patrol’s data shows the riskiest times are around dawn and dusk: roughly a quarter of deer crashes happen between 5 and 8 a.m., and about a third between 6 and 10 p.m. That lines up with the darker commutes after the time change in early November.

A few general driving suggestions

• Consider slowing down on wooded or rural roads, especially early in the morning and in the evening.
• Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic, which can help you spot eyes reflecting near the road sooner.
• If you see one deer, assume more may follow. They often travel in groups.
• Safety officials generally advise braking firmly and staying in your lane rather than swerving. Swerving can lead to hitting another vehicle, a tree or a ditch, which is often more serious than hitting the animal.
• Motorcyclists may want to take extra care: the Highway Patrol reports motorcycles are involved in only about 1% of deer crashes but account for most of the fatal ones.

If you do hit a deer

• Pull over somewhere safe, turn on your hazard lights and check for injuries.
• Stay away from the animal, even if it appears hurt. An injured deer can be dangerous.
• Call the police if anyone is hurt, the vehicle can’t be driven safely, or the animal is blocking the road.
• Take photos of your vehicle and the area if it’s safe to do so.
• Give us a call before getting repairs started, and we’ll help you with the claim process.

How coverage typically works

With most carriers, hitting an animal is handled under comprehensive (sometimes called “other than collision”) coverage, not collision. That matters because the two often have different deductibles. If you swerve to miss a deer and hit something else instead, that is generally treated as a collision claim. If you only carry liability coverage, damage to your own vehicle usually isn’t covered in either case. Every policy is different, so it’s worth knowing which coverages and deductibles you have before the season gets busy.

Not sure if you have comprehensive coverage or what your deductible is? Call or text my agency at 234-254-5660 or request a call back, and we’ll take care of it for you.

This post is general information only. These suggestions are not a guarantee against an accident, damage or loss, and following them does not ensure a claim will not occur. Coverage depends on your specific policy terms, conditions and exclusions, which vary by carrier. Please review your own policy or contact us with questions.